Billy Wagner retired after the 2010 season despite coming off one of his best years, saving 37 games with a 1.43 ERA in 69 innings for the Braves, and Mark Hale of the New York Postreports that the Phillies recently tried to talk the now 40-year-old left-hander out of retirement.

Wagner declined, telling them: “I do not have an itch. I’m done. I’ve got a major role on a JV baseball team. I’m JV baseball coach.”

According to Hale the contact with Wagner came shortly after the regular season and well before the Phillies signed Jonathan Papelbon to a four-year, $50 million deal.

It’s unclear if the Phillies viewed Wagner as a closer or as a setup man, but the best left-handed reliever of all time hinted that several other teams also reached out to him during the season. His agent had been instructed to turn down all offers.

Wagner pitched for the Phillies in 2004 and 2005, throwing 126 innings with a 1.86 ERA and 59 saves.

“Come on, Billy!”
“No.”
“Come onnnn!! If you don’t come back, we’re going to have to sign Papelbon for trillions of dollars because that’s the only other idea we have.”
“No.”
“Please!?!?!?!?!?”
“No. Goodbye.”

Pretty shocked the Phillies would even contact him considering how his time with Philly ended in him bashing not only the fans but the way the organization was run. I suppose that was before RAJ’s term as GM but nonetheless this is rather surprising to me

Agree. People only remember the Atlants lovefest, but the fact is that he burned bridges by being a clubhouse politician at every other stop. He always left on bad terms with management and teammates. People like honesty but he seemed to be one of those guys always looking to bitch about something.

Right on man. This guy is a total dueche bag. I had a run in with him a few years ago and he is exactly what is wrong with athletes today. Total cancer, thank god the Phillies didn’t bring him back! I would rather have Jose Mesa back then this POS!